Maui Arts & Cultural Center programs, events reach thousands

The Maui Arts & Cultural Center was the site for more than 1,500 events in 2016, fulfilling the nonprofit’s goal of providing a wide range of arts, culture and entertainment options for Maui County.

More than 225,000 people entered the MACC’s gates to attend classes, seminars, exhibits, festivals and other events. Institutional programs reached an additional 3,000 people by sending performing artists and teaching artists to locations around the county, including Lanai and Molokai. And more than 64,000 people attended free events last year, according to the organization.

Highlights included free Starry Night Cinema events, which drew 1,500 attendees in January, 1,250 in March and 1,750 in August. The free exhibit “Statements on Nature” drew 4,100 gallery visitors in January, while the related free ArT=Mixx event in February drew 1,400. Free high school and intermediate band concerts featuring 957 students from nine schools saw 4,600 attendees in March, the free annual ‘Ukulele Festival drew 2,800 and 100 CanDo! arts education days involved 6,320 students on Maui, Lanai and Molokai.

While not as visible as some of the international, national and local performers the MACC brings in, the organization’s free arts education programs, outreach programs and artists in the community events have touched many throughout the county. Such community programs, ranging from small groups at senior centers and school departments to full-house performances for students in Castle Theater, show the depth and breadth of the MACC’s offerings.